Formerly best known for its infamous namesake canal, Gowanus is now an up-and-coming neighborhood, thanks in part to its proximity to family havens Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill. Although initially artists and entrepreneurs flocked to the area to transform its industrial warehouses into galleries, restaurants and bars, the opening of a two-story Whole Foods Market in 2013 confirmed families were also moving in. In Gowanus, you'll find offbeat indoor play spaces, including build-your-own-robot studio Brooklyn Robot Foundry and Brooklyn Boulders rock climbing gym; family-owned eateries like artisanal ice cream parlor Ample Hills Creamery; and one-of-a-kind adult attractions such as Morbid Anatomy Museum, which hosts occasional kids' events. Our Gowanus Family Guide highlights the very best places to eat, play and experience with kids in the neighborhood. We hope you enjoy getting to know the area with your family.
